Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ at Dancing Goat

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – One of William Shakespeare’s most endearing and enduring comedies, “Twelfth Night,” will be performed at the Dancing Goat Theatre.

It is full of many of Shakespeare’s comic devices: disguises, mistaken identity, a shipwreck, reunited twins, mismatched lovers and a play within a play.

Directed by Margarita Moldovan, the play draws upon the carnival-like spirit associated with Twelfth Night, which marks the end of the Christmas season. The play presents a world where social norms are disregarded and desire seems to gain free reign.

The play opens with a shipwreck in which twins Viola and Sebastian are separated, with Viola thinking her brother is dead. So Viola disguises herself as a man-at-arms, which leads her into the service of the Count Orsino. As the count’s new confidant, the stage is set for confusion and spiteful fun.

There is an “Upstairs-Downstairs” element (think “Downton Abbey”) in which the servants are as involved as their masters in all the mischief that results.

“Twelfth Night” evokes the Feast of Epiphany and celebratory season more in keeping with New Year’s Eve. The result is one of Shakespeare’s true comic masterpieces.

The production is produced by Performing Arts North (PAN). It is a nonprofit theater organization that offers classes, camps, workshops and performing opportunities in all aspects of drama and theater.

Throughout the year, PAN produces Shakespearean productions offering high school and college students the opportunity to perform classical theater as well as new productions that offer thoughtful, challenging theater for adults.

Children also have the opportunity to perform in a series of children’s shows that encourages learning and exposure to other cultures through their favorite children’s stories.